It might seem pretty simple to test a subcooler, but leave it to me.
Was looking at one yesterday and trying to test or prove performance. Mostly for my own satisfaction, but also am looking to make this a part of annual testing.
Inlet liquid temp was 66 degrees.
Running full subcooling which was a 5 ton valve, I think, at a 40 degree evaporator temp. I measured 2-5 degrees superheat on the subcooler.
First checks are to make sure your subcooling circuit has a solid column of liquid feeding the TEV.
Then make sure your liquid to be subcooled is a solid column.
key point here being (you cannot subcool vapor)
Then your subcooling circuit should have around 10 to 12* superheat (40*SST with a 50* sensible suction pipe temperature)
Your liquid to be subcooled is entering at 66* and should be leaving towards the liquid header at around 50 to 55* sensible pipe temperature.
The readings you provide give me the impression that your subcoolers TEV is leaking through the push rods and into the externally equalized line. Giving you a low superheat reading, with no active heat transfer on your liquid to be subcooled.
First checks are to make sure your subcooling circuit has a solid column of liquid feeding the TEV.
Then make sure your liquid to be subcooled is a solid column.
key point here being (you cannot subcool vapor)
Then your subcooling circuit should have around 10 to 12* superheat (40*SST with a 50* sensible suction pipe temperature)
Your liquid to be subcooled is entering at 66* and should be leaving towards the liquid header at around 50 to 55* sensible pipe temperature.
The readings you provide give me the impression that your subcoolers TEV is leaking through the push rods and into the externally equalized line. Giving you a low superheat reading, with no active heat transfer on your liquid to be subcooled.
Didn't make any sense to me, either, that is why I brought it here.
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Originally Posted by Phase Loss
